In a statement, the blonde beauty said: "I’m taking a step back from the public eye, I want to keep my life private as I lived my previous relationship on TOWIE, my priority right now is Rio and the family."

Kate called Rio's three children 'precious' [Kate Wright/ Instagram ]

According to The Sun, a friend of Kate’s recently said of the couple: "They are so happy together. It's going really well.

"Kate was telling her friends how great everything is for her at the moment. Rio's children love her. She sees Rio as her soul mate – they have a real connection."

The relationship is the first for Rio since the tragic death of his wife Rebecca in 2015. The mother of his children sadly passed away aged just 34 after battling cancer.

Kate Wright stepped out of the spotlight to focus on her relationship with Rio [Instagram ]

The pair had three children, sons Lorenz, 11 and Tate, nine, and daughter Tia, six.

Kate Wright and Rio Ferdinand kept their romance under wraps for months, but the former England footballer confirmed their relationship with his first Instagram pic with the TOWIE star – click here to see inside their romance

Since retiring from professional football Rio has begun training as a boxer with his first fight scheduled for later this year.